Open space
As an urban village Doncaster Hill will enhance the rich
cultural history and heritage of our community and provide
opportunities for neighbourhood celebrations and a community-focused
lifestyle.
Public areas will feature open plazas and cafe lined streets
infused with public art, providing a strong 'sense of place'.
It promises to be an environment that encourages social interaction
and healthy lifestyles, through the provision of neighbourhood
services, access to schools and learning centres, shops, workplaces
and public transport, all within walking distance of residential
areas.
Doncaster Hill will be a bustling cosmopolitan centre, alive
with cafes, restaurants, urban art, shopping and entertainment.
Doncaster Road will be transformed into a tree lined boulevard,
and the focus of vibrant street activity. Safe and attractive
streets and open spaces will encourage walking and cycling.
The primary open space to be developed as part of the Doncaster
Hill Strategy is the Precinct 1. Further details of Manningham
City Council's open space plans for Doncaster Hill can be
found in the Doncaster
Hill Open Space Backgrounds Paper, October 2003 (512Kb).
Further information is available in the following documents:
University of Melbourne student concept designs
With support from Manningham City Council, University of
Melbourne Landscape Architecture Masters students have explored
planning and design options for a linear site of some three
kilometres from Doncaster Hill and Westfield to Ruffey Lake
Park.
The students' concept designs included rain gardens, wetlands,
water features, plazas, meeting areas, underpasses, land art
installations, traffic control measures, street realignments
and lighting arrangements.
Reserves
The two primary open spaces that will be redeveloped as part
of the Doncaster Hill Strategy are Precinct 1 and Carawatha
Reserve. Further details of Manningham City Council's open
space plans for Doncaster Hill can be found in the Doncaster
Hill Open Space Backgrounds Paper, October 2003 (512Kb).
Carawatha Reserve
The first piece of open space to be upgraded as part of the
Doncaster Hill Strategy, improvement works in Carawatha Reserve
were completed in March 2010.
The reserve's upgrade including the installation of improved
play equipment, a shelter, seating, tables and a barbecue,
as well as landscaping works and upgraded paths.
Although located just outside the Doncaster Hill boundary,
Carawatha Reserve's proximity provided the opportunity to
direct funds towards improvement works and to cater to the
growing needs of the community.
Saxon Reserve
Saxon Reserve, in Precinct 4, is being upgraded as part of
the Doncaster Hill Strategy.
Surveys completed by residents in September 2007 have guided
elements of the upgrade which will take place in two stages.
Stage 1 is currently underway and includes:
- Regrading works to improve the visual amenity and access
between the two levels of the reserve
- Moving power lines underground
- Relocating the playground and providing new natural play
elements and landscape features
- Providing shelter and seating
- Enhancing the southern entrance
Access to Saxon Reserve will be maintained throughout the
majority of Stage 1 works.
Streetscape &
urban design
Doncaster Hill Boulevard and Public Art Fence
The Doncaster Hill Boulevard and Public Art Fence was completed
and launched in June 2007.
The project was jointly funded by Council and DSE, through
a Creating Better Places grant, and involved the extension
of the Doncaster Hill Boulevard and creation of a feature
art fence, along the Doncaster Road frontage of the Doncaster
Primary School and Old Shire Hall.
The Boulevard streetscape is now an attractive widened promenade
with avenue tree planting, signage and street furniture to
encourage pedestrian focussed activity on Doncaster Road.
The feature art fence, entitled, “Running / Walking
(Moving Forward),” by artist Warren Langley, features
concertina sections of glass, interspersed with cut-out images
of moving figures in copper that are illuminated at night.
Doncaster Hill Pedestrian Underpass upgrade
The Doncaster Hill Pedestrian Underpass runs under Doncaster
Road between Doncaster Primary School and the Doncaster Playhouse
on the north side, and the strip of shops on the south side.
The underpass was upgraded as part of a project jointly funded
by Council and the State Government through a $150,000 Local
Area Access Program (LAAP) grant.
The new-look underpass includes a public art piece on the
walls and ceilings by renowned artist Warren Langley, called
Immerse. The creative design features a striking montage of
colour and light, and helps to brighten the underground thoroughfare.
The upgrade was completed in mid-2008 with the installation
of two canopy shades to mark the entry to the underpass and
provide shelter from sun and rain.
The project aims to encourage greater use of the underpass
by pedestrians and cyclists crossing Doncaster Road by upgrading
its physical appearance, comfort and safety.
The underpass will be an important element in the Doncaster
Hill Urban Village, connecting a planned new hotel and high-density
residential precinct on the south side with an arts/cultural/heritage
precinct, and major open space and community facilities on
the north side of Doncaster Road.
Shared path works
Work on the creation of widened, walking and cycling paths
behind Doncaster Primary School, and along Council and Goodson
Streets were completed in October 2008.
The shared path creates better linkages between Precinct
1 and Westfield Doncaster. Directional signage has also been
installed at various points for key sites within Doncaster
Hill.
The project was jointly funded by Council and the State Government,
through a $173,195 Local Area Access Program grant.
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